as in harassment
something that causes mental distress
The media's constant persecution was beginning to affect their lives.
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Recent Examples of persecution
But, for many American Jews, Zionism has come to represent the belief that there should be such a home—both because of the Jewish people’s ties to their ancestral land and because of the centuries of persecution that Jews endured, culminating with the Holocaust.
—
Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
In the ‘70s and ‘80s, large numbers of Laotian and Hmong emigrants arrived, fleeing the persecution that followed the Vietnam War.
—David Farley, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Between persecution and suspicion These dynamics become especially visible in moments of enforcement, where the gap between political rhetoric and immigration policy comes into sharp relief.
—Candace Lukasik, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
The family should move out of Paris to a place where Daniel would not have to worry about persecution.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2026
In the ‘70s and ‘80s, large numbers of Laotian and Hmong emigrants arrived, fleeing the persecution that followed the Vietnam War.
—David Farley, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Mar. 2026
Between persecution and suspicion These dynamics become especially visible in moments of enforcement, where the gap between political rhetoric and immigration policy comes into sharp relief.
—Candace Lukasik, The Conversation, 27 Mar. 2026
The family should move out of Paris to a place where Daniel would not have to worry about persecution.
—Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for persecution
Recent Examples of Synonyms for persecution
Noun
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The college agreed to faculty training on Title IX and a revision of college policies to clarify that refusal to use a person’s preferred name and pronoun could constitute harassment.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Apr. 2026
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Their organizing was met with harassment and threats, Lee said.—
Tess Kenny,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
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That a website better known for racing to announce celebrity deaths and releasing videos of misbehaving reality stars has turned its eye on DC says something about the anger roiling the nation.—
Elex Michaelson,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
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Their last few encounters have left Dana on the brink of tears or screaming in anger at herself in the bathroom.—
Hunter Ingram,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Her hands, though inflamed and covered in red sores, also had several large areas that were smooth and lacked any signs of irritation.—
Jerome Groopman,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
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Your Scalp May Be Irritated and Itchy Not washing your hair for extended periods of time can lead to irritation and an itchy scalp.—
Cory Martin,
Verywell Health,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Persecution.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/persecution. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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